Mixed responses ahead of youth wage discussions

Feedback on a proposal to increase Guernsey's youth minimum wage in line with the adult rate will be discussed by the Committee for Employment and Social Security next week.

Currently workers aged 16 or 17 years old must be paid a minimum of £11.35 an hour. It is £12.60 for adults and the proposals suggest increasing both to £13.10.

A trade union said it supported the proposed wage match. However, a local recruitment expert and business operator said it could have unintended consequences, affecting youth employment.

Deputy Tina Bury thanked contributors for taking part in the targeted consultation, and said the meeting would "inform the committees final proposal to be brought to the States".

Managing director of Leapfrog recruitment Chris Gnapp said matching the rate could push industries away from hiring, and the focus should be on workplace readiness instead.

He said: "There is a balance to strike there, because we've all got to help the youth come through and develop careers because they're our tomorrow.

"But I think there might be some cases where companies go: 'Well, actually, we can just employ an older person who's got some experience for the same money. Why wouldn't we do that?'"

He said it was important young people were prepared for the workplace and given time to learn human skills, such as communication and cash handling, that were required to progress to higher pay levels.

"Companies are really focusing now, as well on those other skills, alongside the academics that can really sort of show what you're like as a human being.

"Even if it's just some unpaid or voluntary work... I think if we can have a little bit more emphasis on getting people started, to understand the workplace, a little bit earlier on in age... that can be really, really important."

Clinton Millard, who runs a family-owned motorcycle shop, agreed that, while young people should be given opportunities to get into the workplace, they should not necessarily be paid the same as adult counterparts.

He said: "I feel like they should be given good opportunities but maybe not like strictly made to be paid the same, because obviously they are less experienced workers."

He added that, while having young workers on Saturdays were important, in his business their skills did not quite match those of their adult counterparts while they were learning.

He said: "They don't answer the phone or interact with the customers in the same way, they won't be selling bikes... they'll be hoovering and cleaning, which is good work, but might not be compensated the same for small businesses to be able to afford that sort of stuff."

Unite the Union Guernsey, which has provided feedback to the committee on the proposals, said the group welcomed the wage match for young people and adults.

It also called for a higher increase to the minimum wage to bring Guernsey in line with Jersey.

It said: "An increase of 5% to £13.23 per hour would bring Guernsey more closely in line with Jersey's current minimum wage of £13.59 per hour, helping to strengthen the spending power of workers employed in minimum wage industries."

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